United Airlines Announces Order for 150 New Boeing Jets
United Continental Holdings(CHICAGO) — United Airlines is ordering 150 brand new Boeing 737s worth $14 billion at list price, which is good news for workers in Washington State, where the planes are made.The purchase includes 100 Boeing 737 MAX 9 and …
Lawmaker Proposes Keeping Families Together In-Flight
Photodisc/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — A New York congressman and member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has introduced legislation to help keep families seated together on commercial flights.The Families Flying Together Act of 2012…
An American Airlines Merger Could Mean Higher Fares for Travelers
Joe Raedle/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — As American Airlines emerges from Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the carrier will be looking at potential mergers with other airlines, according to its chief executive.In a letter to employees on Tuesday, American Airlines …
Chevy Offers 60-Day Return Policy for New Vehicles
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — If you just purchased a new Chevy and aren’t thrilled with the vehicle, don’t worry: you can take it back for a full refund within 60 days. Between now and early September, Chevy buyers can return their n…
New Law Would Block Rental of Recalled Cars
Brand X Pictures/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — A new bill that would keep rental car companies from renting out vehicles that have been recalled because of safety risks was introduced today in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Raechel and Jacqueline H…
British Airways’ New Customer Program: Helpful or Creepy?
iStockphoto/Thinkstock(LONDON) — In an airline industry first, British Airways’ Know Me program uses Google images to identiy its best customers even before they set foot in the airport. The airline has equipped its customer service agents and senior …
Delta Increases Pet Travel Restrictions
Delta Airlines(NEW YORK) — If you have a ticket on Delta Airlines and you’re planning to bring a dog along, you may have to find other arrangements. Delta is no longer allowing pets as cargo or checked bags on its Boeing 767 planes. The air…
Obama Challenges China at WTO over Auto Tariffs
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images(MAUMEE, Ohio) — As he embarked on a campaign swing across northern Ohio, President Obama announced new action against China in the World Trade Organization, challenging duties imposed last year on U.S. auto exports.&ldquo…
Automakers Report Better-than-Expected June Sales
iStockphoto/Thinkstock(DETROIT) — American consumers may be cautious about spending more money but they are buying new cars. From fuel efficient small cars to monster pickups, sales are up. Both U.S. and foreign automakers reported better than expecte…
Toyota Recalls 154,000 Lexus SUVs to Fix Floor Mats
Giuseppe Cacace/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) — There’s another Toyota recall for sticky pedals — this time for the automaker’s high-end 2010 Lexus models.The problem is similar to Toyota’s floor mat/gas pedal recall two years ago, when drivers complained…
Seven Cheapest Cities for a Fourth of July Getaway
Comstock/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — Gas prices are going down, down, down. ABC News reported gas prices in 16 states have dropped to under $3 per gallon and that more are expected to drop under that price point in the coming days.And with the Fourth…
GM Recalls 400,000+ Chevy Cruzes for Fire Risk
General Motors (Model may differ from recall)(DETROIT) — General Motors is recalling 413,418 Chevy Cruzes to fix a problem the company says could cause a fire in the vehicle’s engine.The recall covers all Chevy Cruzes model years 2011 and 2012 b…
Delayed Bags Could Result in Airline Reimbursements, Study Says
iStockphoto/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — Domestic airlines collectively made $3.36 billion in baggage fees in 2011, a slight decline from the year prior, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.And according to Thursday’s release of the Departm…
Low-Cost Carriers Flying High in Customer Satisfaction
Scott Olson/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — It’s no secret that low-cost carriers have won over the hearts of travelers everywhere. But it may not be for the reason you think: When it comes to price, there’s typically not a whole lot of dif…
Government Expands Jeep Gas Tank Fire Investigation
Tim Boyle/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) — Five million Jeep vehicles are under a new safety investigation.There’s no recall yet, but government safety investigators are trying to determine whether some older Jeeps have defective fuel tanks. They’re s…
Fill Your Gas Tank for Less Than $3 a Gallon?
Jupiterimages/Thinkstock(CONWAY, S.C.) — Just in time for the summer travel season, falling gas prices seem to be providing some relief to drivers. But most don’t expect prices to fall lower than $3, with the national average for a gallon of reg…
The Best Time to Book July 4 Airfare
John Foxx/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — If you’d like to get away for July 4, but haven’t yet booked airfare, it’s time.According to data compiled by online travel booking site Travelocity, the best time to book to get the cheapest airfare …
United Raises Second Checked Bag Fee on International Flights
iStockphoto/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — Earlier this month, United Airlines quietly raised the fee for a second checked bag from $70 to $100 on some international flights.Passengers traveling on trans-Atlantic routes between North, Central and South Americ…
Sen. Boxer: Avis, Enterprise, Dollar Won’t Sign Pledge to Stop Renting Recalled Cars
iStockphoto/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — Sen. Barbara Boxer (D.-California) today joined the mother of two daughters who died in a rental car crash to ask why three of the nation’s four major rental car companies have declined to sign a pledge promising not…
Airline to Auction Class Upgrades
Hemera/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — The opportunity to purchase upgrades has been around for a while now, letting airlines squeeze a few extra dollars from passengers at check-in while giving non-elite status fliers a chance for a more comfortable flight. W…